School of Hard Knocks Podcast Kirt Linington | He Came to America With $700… Then Sold for 9 Figures, Started Knocking On Doors At 42 & Made Millions
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Jan 23, 2026 Kirt Linington, a South Africa–born entrepreneur who built a national roofing platform and sold it for a nine-figure exit. He discusses starting with $700, door-knocking sales before systems, scaling to $62M while working a corporate job, handling rejection as a skill, preparing for private equity, and integrating acquisitions into one national platform.
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From $700 To Door Knocking At 42
- Kirt came to the U.S. from South Africa with $700 and built a career in corporate America before starting a roofing business at 42.
- He left an executive VP role and willingly did door knocking to learn the business and earn credibility.
Sell Before You Systemize
- Lead with sales first and build systems after you validate demand with revenue.
- Hire people who have skills you lack instead of building perfect processes before selling.
Costly Lesson From A High-Rise Job
- Kirt expanded into commercial roofing too quickly and botched a high-rise condo job due to inexperience.
- The seam mistake cost them hundreds of thousands and taught them to 'stay in your lane' until you're ready.
